Steam dispersion system

ABSTRACT

A steam dispersion system includes a header defining a first end and a second end, a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending upwardly from the header, a condensate drain outlet located at the first end, a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the pipe defining a length extending in a direction generally from the first end to the second end, the pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet located at the first end and a main steam outlet that is within the header. The hollow pipe is configured to receive steam flowing in from the main steam inlet toward the main steam outlet. The pipe may define a plurality of orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam flowing through the pipe to enter the header for distribution through the dispersion tubes. A steam re-direction structure directs steam flow leaving through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/681,365, filed Feb. 25, 2022; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/935,861, filed Jul. 22, 2020, now abandoned;which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/241,126, filedJan. 7, 2019, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/273,097, filed Sep. 22, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,174,960;which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/222,538,filed Sep. 23, 2015, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The principles disclosed herein relate generally to the field of steamdispersion humidification. More particularly, the disclosure relates tocontrol and evacuation of unwanted condensate from steam dispersionsystems.

BACKGROUND

Industrial buildings which use steam boilers for heating may use theboiler steam for humidification by injecting it directly into the air. Asteam dispersion system panel is used to uniformly disperse the steaminto an airstream within an air duct or air handling unit (AHU).

Cool air flowing across the dispersion tubes of the steam dispersionsystem panel causes some of the steam within the dispersion tubes tocondense. This condensate is drained out of the steam dispersion systempanel to prevent it from accumulating and entering the airstream withthe steam.

The condensate drain of a pressurized steam dispersion panel istypically located on the end of a steam header of the panel opposite ofthe steam inlet. The velocity of the pressurized steam entering theheader of the steam dispersion system forces the condensate to theopposite end of the header where the drain is typically located. If thedrain were on the same side as the steam inlet, then unwanted condensatecould accumulate in the header and enter the airstream. For this reason,condensate drains are typically located on the end opposite of thepressurized steam inlet.

However, locating the drain on the opposite end of a header from thesteam inlet necessitates access to both ends of the header forinstallation of steam and condensate piping, thus potentially increasingthe size of the AHU or reducing the active dispersion area of the panel.Installation costs may also be higher for the piping.

An external condensate drain pipe can be installed underneath the headerand sloped back to the steam inlet side of the header, but this mayincrease cost and requires space underneath the header which may reducethe active steam dispersion area of the panel.

It is desirable for the steam inlet and condensate drain to be on thesame side of the header. Access to only one side, instead of both sides,of the header is then needed for steam and condensate piping. This canreduce installation costs and utilize the AHU space more efficiently.However, unwanted accumulation of the condensate is a serious concern asnoted above.

Improvements in this area are desired.

SUMMARY

The principles disclosed herein relate to improvements in piping ofunwanted condensate from steam dispersion humidification systems.

The inventive principles relate to the use of an internal feature orstructure within the header which re-directs the flow of the enteringsteam approximately 180 degrees back towards the steam inlet. The drainport can be located on the same side as the steam inlet since thecondensate is pushed towards the drain by the re-directed steam flow.The condensate does not accumulate in the header or enter the airstream.The condensate drain can be located on the same side as the steam inletwhile reliably draining the condensate from the header. The advantagesof same-side piping are combined with effective condensate drainage fromthe header without the need for an external condensate drain pipeunderneath the header.

The internal steam re-directing feature may include a hollow structureor a pipe through which the steam is transported towards the oppositeend of the header. Orifices that penetrate the hollow structure or pipeallow some of the steam to exit to enhance uniform steam distributionwithin the header and control back pressure before the remaining steamis re-directed approximately 180 degrees back towards the steam inletside of the header. The redirecting structure can include a 180-degreeU-bend of the pipe, two quantity 90-degree bends of the pipe, ormultiple styles of deflecting shields or deflectors provided within theheader that cooperate with the pipe in re-directing the steam.

In one particular aspect, the disclosure is directed to a steamdispersion system including a steam header defining a first end and asecond end, a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending upwardlyfrom the header, a condensate drain outlet located at the first end ofthe header, a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the hollow pipedefining a length extending within the header in a direction generallyfrom the first end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a mainhumidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header and amain steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe isconfigured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam inlettoward the main steam outlet. The hollow pipe may define a plurality oforifices along the length thereof for allowing steam that is flowingthrough the hollow pipe to enter the header for distribution through thesteam dispersion tubes. A steam re-direction structure is configured todirect steam flow leaving through the main steam outlet back toward thefirst end of the header.

According to another aspect, the disclosure is directed to ahumidification steam dispersion system comprising a steam headerdefining a first end, a second end, and a steam exit point for supplyinghumidification steam to the atmosphere, a condensate drain outletlocated at the first end of the header, a hollow pipe positioned withinthe header, the hollow pipe defining a length extending within theheader in a direction generally from the first end to the second end,the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet located atthe first end of the header and a main steam outlet within the header,wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flows infrom the main steam inlet toward the main steam outlet, and a steamre-direction structure configured to direct steam flow leaving throughthe main steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.

According to yet another aspect, the disclosure is directed to ahumidification steam dispersion system comprising a steam headerdefining an interior and a steam exit point communicating with theinterior for supplying humidification steam to the atmosphere and ahollow pipe positioned within the header interior, the hollow pipedefining a main humidification steam inlet and a main steam outlet,wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flowsthrough the pipe by entering the pipe through the main steam inlet andexiting the pipe through the main steam outlet into the header interior,wherein the main steam inlet and the main steam outlet face in the samedirection.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and combinations of features. It is to be understood that boththe foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broadinventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein arebased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example steam dispersion systemhaving features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the steam dispersion system ofFIG. 1 illustrating the internal features thereof.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the steamdispersion system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective close-up view of the steam re-direction portionof the steam dispersion system of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the steam re-direction portion ofanother version of the steam dispersion system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the steamdispersion system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the steamdispersion system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the steamdispersion system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 illustrates two portions of the steam re-direction pipe that formthe U-shaped bend in the system of FIG. 8 , the two portions shownbefore attachment/welding thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A steam dispersion system 10 having features that are examples ofinventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 . The steam dispersion system 10generally includes a steam header 12 and a plurality of steam dispersiontubes 14 extending upwardly from the header 12. It should be noted thatthe steam dispersion system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 is simply oneexample in which the inventive aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure can be used. Other systems are certainlypossible.

As will be described in further detail below, the header 12 isconfigured to receive steam from a steam source, and the steam isdispersed into duct air through steam delivery points 16 of the steamdispersion tubes 14. The steam source may be a boiler or another sourceproviding pressurized steam. The steam source provides pressurized steamtowards the header 12. In the depicted example, each of the tubes 14communicates with the header interior 18 for receiving pressurizedsteam. The steam tubes 14, in turn, disperse the steam to the atmosphereat atmospheric pressure. The header 12 is designed to distributepressure evenly among the tubes 14 protruding therefrom.

In a system such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 , the steam suppliedby the steam source is piped through the system 10 at a pressuregenerally higher than atmospheric pressure, which is normally thepressure at the point where the steam exits the tubes 14 and meets ductair. The pressure created by the flowing steam can be used for pipingunwanted condensate 20 (see FIG. 3 ) from the system 10 as will bediscussed in further detail below.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-2 , each steam dispersion tube 14, asdepicted, includes a generally cylindrical wall 22 defining an outersurface 24 and an inner surface 26. In other embodiments, the steamdispersion tubes 14 may be of other shapes, such as square, triangular,elliptical, etc. Also, in other embodiments, the steam dispersion tubes14 may be formed from multiple pieces that are attached together to formthe tubes 14. The steam dispersion tube 14 defines a hollow interior 28for carrying steam. The steam dispersion tube 14 includes a plurality ofopenings 30 through the cylindrical wall 22 for emitting the steam. Incertain embodiments, the outer surface 24 of the cylindrical wall 22 maybe covered with insulation material. The insulation material may definea plurality of openings through the insulation that are aligned with theopenings 30 of the steam dispersion tube 14.

The steam delivery points 16 of the steam dispersion tube 14 may bedefined by nozzles (i.e., tubelets) provided in the openings 30. Itshould be noted that in other embodiments, the steam delivery points 16may be defined simply by the openings 30 of the tubes 14 without the useof any nozzles. Each of the tubes 14 communicates with the headerinterior 18 for receiving and dispersing humidification steam to theatmosphere (e.g., to an air duct).

Still referring to FIGS. 1-2 , the header 12 of the steam dispersionsystem 10 may be mounted via a frame structure (not shown) across an airduct for positioning the tubes 14 in the duct air flow.

The header 12 defines a first end 32 and a second end 34. The first end32 includes a condensate drain opening 36 for allowing unwantedaccumulated condensate to be drained from the system 10.

The header 12 receives the supply steam through a hollow structure orpipe 38 that extends within the header 12 in a direction generallyextending from the first end 32 to the second end 34. The hollow pipe 38defines a main steam inlet 40 at the first end 32 of the header 12,generally adjacent the same side as the condensate drain opening 36 ofthe system 10.

Supply steam is transported through the hollow pipe 38 towards theopposite second end 34 of the header from the first end 32 that has themain steam inlet 40.

As shown, the hollow pipe 38 includes orifices or openings 42 thatpenetrate the hollow structure or pipe 38 to allow some of the steam toexit to enhance uniform steam distribution within the header 12 and tocontrol back pressure. The steam distributed through the orifices isused as humidification steam that enters the air duct through the tubes14 extending from the header 12.

The hollow pipe 38, in the example depicted in FIGS. 1-2 , is alsoutilized to pipe condensate toward the condensate drain 36 that ispositioned at the same end 32 as the main steam inlet 40.

The depicted pipe 38 is configured to re-direct the pressurized steamapproximately 180 degrees back towards the steam inlet end 32 of theheader 12. The redirecting structure 44 can include a 180-degree u-bendof the pipe, two quantity 90-degree bends of the pipe, or multiplestyles of deflecting shields or deflectors 46 provided within the header12 that cooperate with the pipe 38 in re-directing the steam, as will bediscussed in further detail below.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-2 , the steam redirecting structure 44is in the form of a 180-degree bend of the hollow pipe 38 that is formedfrom two 90-degree bends positioned at an opposite second end 48 of thepipe 38 from the steam inlet end 50. In other example embodiments, thebend can be less than 180 degrees. Depending upon the configuration ofthe system 10, the bend can be provided at any angle greater than 90degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees. Pressurized steam flowexits the hollow pipe 38 at a main steam outlet opening 52 at the secondend 48 that directs the steam toward the same end 32 as the condensatedrain 36.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a 180-degree bend of the hollow pipe 38 that isformed from a 180-degree U-bend that is formed from two tube portions 54that are cut at sharp angles that are welded together.

As noted above, the steam redirecting structure 44 can also includedifferent styles of types of deflecting shields or deflectors 46 thatcooperate with the hollow pipe 38 in re-directing steam flow toward thecondensate drain 36.

For example, in the depicted example of the system 10 in FIGS. 3 and 4 ,the steam redirecting structure 44 is provided by a combination of anangled outlet opening 52 at the second end 48 and a curved deflector 46having a concave configuration for directing the steam flow towards thecondensate drain 36.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the system 10 with multiple such curveddeflectors 46.

The second end 48 of the hollow pipe 38 that defines the main steamoutlet/opening 52 can be cut at different angles and dimensions tocontrol the opening 52 to allow optimum steam velocity hitting thedeflector(s) 46 to create sufficient force to flow condensation towardthe condensate drain 36. The angle and the size of the opening 52 canalso be used to control the amount of backpressure to optimize theproper amount of steam dispersed through the orifices 42 along thelength of the pipe.

Referring now to FIG. 6 , an example of the system 10 is illustratedwherein deflector(s) 46 positioned both partially below and above thehollow pipe 38 are used to redirect steam flow toward the condensatedrain 36. The deflectors 46 are positioned at the second end 34 of theheader 12 adjacent the main steam outlet 52 of the pipe 38. It should benoted that in the example of FIG. 6 , the outlet opening 52 formed atthe second end 48 of the pipe 38 is not angled and generally facestoward the second end 34 of the header 12. The deflectors 46 re-directthe steam flow back toward the condensate drain 36 from both above andbelow the hollow pipe 38 as shown.

Another example of a deflector 46 in combination with the pipe 38 beingused as a steam re-direction structure 44 is illustrated in FIG. 7 . Inthe example depicted in FIG. 7 , the hollow pipe 38 defines a sealed end48 with an outlet opening 52 that is positioned generally at a bottomside of the pipe 38 at an intermediate location before the sealed end48. The pipe 38 further includes a deflector 46 within the pipe 38 thatsplits the pipe 38 generally into two steam flow channels, a forwardflow channel 56 and a rearward flow channel 58. The deflector 46cooperates with the sealed end 48 and the bottom opening 52 of the pipe38 in creating a generally circular clockwise flow pattern, as depicted,for the steam and directs the steam back through the rearward flowchannel 58 and out the opening 52 toward the condensate drain 36.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the inventive aspects of thedisclosure. Since many embodiments of the inventive aspects can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, theinventive aspects reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

We claim:
 1. A humidification steam dispersion system comprising: a steam header defining a first end and a second end; a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending from the header; a condensate drain outlet located at the first end of the header; a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length extending within the header in a direction generally from the first end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header and a main steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam inlet toward the main steam outlet, the hollow pipe defining a plurality of orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam that is flowing through the hollow pipe to enter the header for distribution through the steam dispersion tubes; and a steam re-direction structure configured to direct steam flow leaving through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.
 2. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 1, wherein the steam re-direction structure is defined by a bent portion of the hollow pipe that directs steam flow toward the first end of the header.
 3. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 2, wherein the bent portion of the hollow pipe defines a U-shaped bend that is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees.
 4. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 3, wherein the bent portion defines a 180-degree bend that comprises two 90-degree bends of the hollow pipe.
 5. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 1, wherein the steam re-direction structure includes at least one deflection plate configured to deflect the steam flow exiting the main steam outlet toward the first end of the header.
 6. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein the at least one deflection plate is located outside of the hollow pipe and inside the header.
 7. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein the main steam outlet is located at an end of the hollow pipe.
 8. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein the main steam outlet is located at an intermediate position along the length of the hollow pipe with an end of the hollow pipe defining a sealed end.
 9. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein the at least one deflection plate is located within the hollow pipe.
 10. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 1, wherein each steam dispersion tube defines a plurality of steam exit points.
 11. A humidification steam dispersion system comprising: a steam header defining a first end, a second end, and a steam exit point for supplying humidification steam to the atmosphere; a condensate drain outlet located at the first end of the header; a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length extending within the header in a direction generally from the first end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header and a main steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam inlet toward the main steam outlet; and a steam re-direction structure configured to direct steam flow leaving through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.
 12. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 11, wherein the steam exit point is defined by at least one steam dispersion tube extending from the header.
 13. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 12, wherein the at least one steam dispersion tube includes a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending upwardly from the header, each steam dispersion tube defining a plurality of steam dispersion openings.
 14. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 13, wherein the hollow pipe defines a plurality of orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam that is flowing through the hollow pipe to enter the header for distribution through the steam dispersion tubes.
 15. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 11, wherein the steam re-direction structure is defined by a bent portion of the hollow pipe that directs steam flow toward the first end of the header.
 16. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 15, wherein the bent portion of the hollow pipe defines a U-shaped bend that is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees.
 17. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 11, wherein the steam re-direction structure includes at least one deflection plate configured to deflect the steam flow exiting the main steam outlet toward the first end of the header.
 18. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 17, wherein the at least one deflection plate is located outside of the hollow pipe and inside the header.
 19. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 17, wherein the main steam outlet is located at an intermediate position along the length of the hollow pipe with an end of the hollow pipe defining a sealed end, and wherein the at least one deflection plate is located within the hollow pipe.
 20. A humidification steam dispersion system comprising: a steam header defining an interior and a steam exit point communicating with the interior for supplying humidification steam to the atmosphere; and a hollow pipe positioned within the header interior, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet and a main steam outlet, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flows through the pipe by entering the pipe through the main steam inlet and exiting the pipe through the main steam outlet into the header interior, wherein the main steam inlet and the main steam outlet face in the same direction. 